I am in a co-ed service group at college and one of our members is dying from cancer. The doctors have given her less than a month. It’s a tradition in our group to give each graduating member a Senior Book filled with momentos of their time with us, words of encouragement, and letters from each member telling the person just how much they mean to us. Since my friend won’t make it to graduation, we are making her a book now. I would like some advice on what to include in the book. The pictures and letters are a no brainer, but I’d like to add some other things like poems about friendship. I have a very limited amount of time in which to complete this book as she will quickly reach a point where she will no longer recognize any of us. So I am reaching out to all of you for help. Anything at all would be most appreciated.
I am going out in a few minutes to gather up supplies for the book, so unfortunately, I won’t be around to answer questions for a while. But I’ll check back as soon as I get in.
A note to the Mods: I wan’t sure where to put this, so please feel free to move it to the appropriate forum if necessary.
When my SIGO was in the very same situation, I gave her a lot of personal “good luck” mementos, like my personal dog tags that I went through 9/11 with, a desert hat, my ‘lucky’ Sherwin-Williams t-shirt, and other things like that–a lot of which she already knew of the personal value to myself.
In my humble opinion, surround your friend with mementos too. Not just poems and pictures. Don’t forget that sometimes a little keepsake brings back just as many memories (if not more).
Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. The entire group including those who aren’t active anymore and people who have graduated and moved on are really rallying around my friend. She is far from alone in this.
A friend of mine once got a printed out poster from her former co-workers saying what she taught them when they worked together. Each person put something- some were really profound, some were funny. She was very deeply touched by it and it meant the world to her to see how she impacted other people’s lives.
Between you and John Carter of Mars having to do a Roast for a Nearly Dead Friend, there seems to be an epidemic aorund here…its creeping me out.
I will make the same suggestion I did for JCOM, what about having everyone kick in some mula to set up a scholarship fund in her name for your thing you belong to? Even a $100 a year towards books as a donation to the most deserving helper/student/member can perk anyone up and let your friend know that her name/legacy will live on.
Or donate on her behalf to the hospital ?
What a shame.
Maybe you can pick up a few ideas there, although the situation isn’t exactly the same.
By the way, Shirley, the fund was started tonight. I don’t know the final count but a significant amount of money was collected tonight and more will come in over the next few weeks. We’re thinking of a scholarship fund for worthy children of employees.
Sorry you’re in a boat so similar to mine, DoperChic.
Zette, our letters will serve a similar purpose as the poster. Everyone seems to be sharing their memories of fun times we all had as well as telling her how much she means to us.
Shirley Ujest, we discussed the idea of a scholarship fund at tonight’s meeting and I got a good response. My friend was a kinesiology education (phys. ed) major with a passion for volunteering. So we’re going to give the scholarship to someone graduating from her high school (not many go on to college) who shares her major and love of helping others.
John Carter of Mars, thanks for the link. Unfortunately it’s getting kinda late and I still have homework to do, so I’ll check it out tomorrow.
Eve, I love the idea of making a CD. I’ll talk to her former room mate who knows her taste in music better than I do and see what we can do.
Once again, thanks to everyone for your kind words and helpful suggestions. It’s nice to know that even in the face of a horrible tragedy, there are always people out there to lend a hand.